Facilitating the Creation of Quality Object Models Using a Knowledge Based System

Abstract

In today’s systems development environments, object models are becoming increasingly important. However, given the complexity of UML, it is difficult to create quality object models; further, while current CASE tools can aid in drawing object models, they do not provide much support for enhancing the quality of object models. To this end, we developed a prototype of a knowledge-based system designed to facilitate the creation of quality object models by novice analysts. Using a design science approach, we provide a description of the design objectives, the system architecture and implementation details, and discuss results of an initial evaluation of the systems’ efficacy. The analysis of the system demonstrates its ability to reliably extract relevant information from use case descriptions, and can lead to significantly more correct classes, attributes, and relationships being identified; however, the analysis has shown that the tool has not prevented novice analysts from adding incorrect elements to object models.

Appendix: Small Bytes Subscription System Case Study

A small independent software journal, Small Bytes, has asked you to design a new system for managing its subscriptions and editorials. While the concept of managing subscriptions is quite straightforward, the details are numerous, as described below:

Small Bytes is published on a monthly basis; a typical monthly issue consists of 5–10 articles, each written by one or more authors in the software engineering field. Though the authors receive no payment for their articles, they do receive a year’s free subscription as a token of appreciation for their efforts; if they already have a subscription, then the expiration date is extended for a year.

Small Bytes has an editorial board of advisors, some of whom may also be authors from time to time; each advisor on the editorial board normally serves for a one-year or two-year term, and receives a complimentary subscription to the magazine for that term. Three or four members of the editorial board, selected by the editor, review each submitted articles and provide their comments to the editor. As with most magazines, issues are scheduled and planned months in advance.

Small Bytes is managed by an editor supported by an assistant who is responsible for keeping track of subscriptions and submissions using an in-house computerized system. The assistant receives subscription orders (new and renewal) and new article submissions via mail or fax, and registers those orders and submissions into the system. The editor does a quick review of the submissions to ensure that they fit the magazine before assigning three or four advisors for a detailed review and comments. Upon receiving replies from the advisors, the assistant records the review comments into the system. From time to time, upon receiving instructions from the editor, the assistant updates the list of advisors and their subject areas.

Small Bytes is sold on a subscription basis; most subscriptions are for a one-year period, but the publisher accepts subscriptions for periods longer than or shorter than a year by simply pro-rating the annual subscription price. Payments for new subscriptions are normally received by cheque. Some subscribers pay by credit card, but the publisher insists (because its bank insists) that credit card payments be accompanied by a signature; this means that the credit card orders are typically sent by fax or mail. As noted earlier, contributing authors and members of the editorial board of advisors receive a complimentary one-year subscription to the magazine.